Window cleaning device



Oct. 24, 1933. F J $M|TH 1,932,192

WINDOW CLEANING DEVIC E Filed April 11, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 T A Z Jam/2 J. (59221292 Oct. 24, 1933. F. J. SMITH WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE Filed April 11, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 [71 221 y/ufiZ (f. 0922/7/2 fEF Oct. 24, 1933. F $M|TH 1,932,192

WINDOW CLEANING DEVICE Filed April 11, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A i-i i description, accompanying drawings and ap- Patented Oct. 24:, 1933 .e at

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a window cleaning device and particularly to a portable device whereby both sides of a window pane may be washed or cleaned from inside the window.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device for cleaning windows whereby the outside of a window pane may be cleaned from inside the window opening.

Another object of the invention is to provide a readily portable window cleaning device whereby either or both sides of a window pane may be cleaned from inside the window opening.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for cleaning the outside of windows wherein a plurality of washing elements are interchangeably usable.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a window cleaning device which device is susceptible of movement along a window sill and j having vertically movable parts to clean the whole surface of the outside of the window pane from inside the window opening.

Another and yet further object of the invention is to provide a device for cleaning windows whereby both sides of the window may be cleaned from inside the window opening and wherein interchangeable cleaning agents such as brushes, rags, chanaois and Squeegees may be employed as desired, the whole device being movj able along the window sill for cleaning the entire surface of the window pane inside as well as outside.

Generally speaking, the invention contemplates a device having a base member which is movable along a window sill and having a post which is outwardly of the window when the device is in cleaning position with a traveler vertically movable on the post, which traveler is adapted to interchangeably receive a plurality of cleaning 1 elements such as a brush, a cloth, a squeegee, or the like, together with means operable inwardly of the window for actuating the traveler.-

The above, other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following pended claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the present'invention and the views thereof are as follows:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of a window showing in side elevation a cleaning device embodying the present invention and disposed to clean the outside of the window pane.

Figure 2 is a fragmental end view of the cleaning device illustrated in Figure 1 looking at the left hand edge of the device.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmental view of a traveler showing a brush mounted in'the same.

Figure 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the traveler for the inside of the window showing a skeleton like mem er supporting a cloth or chainois for cleaning purposes.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmental transverse sectional view of the illustrated form of device showing rollers yieldably mounted near the front end of the device.

Figure 6 is an enlarged iragmental sectional view showing one manner of supporting a post or upright on the base and also one manner for supporting pulleys adjacent the post or upright.

Figure 7 is an enlarged iragmental sectional view of the upper end of the post showing a single pulley in the post.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmental view in section showing one form of clamping means for supporting a cleansing element in a traveler.

Figure 9 is a fragmental enlarged sectional view of the rear rollers employed for engaging the window sill during use of the device.

The drawings will now be explained.

Figure 1 illustrates a fragmental sectional view of a conventional window showing a lower sash A and a portion of the upper sash B. The window frame has a sill 1 and a ledge 2 extending outwardly of the sill.

Theillustrated embodiment of the invention consists of a base 3 preferably of cast metal having a handle portion 4. integrally formed with the base 3 are two longitudinally extending upstanding ribs 5 and 6 which are laterally spaced. Between the ribs 5 and 6 near what is herein termed as the outer end of the base 3 is an upstanding boss '7 integrally formed with the base for receiving thereabout the lower end of an upright or post 8, which in the present instance is illustrated as being hollow. A similar boss is disposed near the other end or the inner end of the ribs 5 and 6 for supporting another or inner post 9. t

The posts 8 and 9 are termed herein respectively the outer and inner posts or uprights and are spaced lengthwise of the base 3 a sufficient distance to receive therebetween a sash such as sash A of Figure l with room for operation of certain members to be hereinafter described. The height of the posts 8 and 9 is such as to be, sufficient to wash a window sash of standard size and construction, the height of the posts being sufficient for use with all sash of sizes used in home, buildings such as hotels, office buildings, apartments, clubs, and the like.

The outer ends of the ribs 5 and 6 are apertured to receive a cross-pin 10 which passes also through an aperture in the boss '7. The pin 10 has a head 11 at one end and is retained in the ribs by means of a cotter pin 12. Between the rib 5 and the boss '7 a pulley 13 is rotatable on the pin 10 and between the boss '7 and the rib 6 a similar pulley 14 is rotatably mounted on the pin.

Similar pulleys are mounted in a similar manner adjacent the inner post or upright 9. The axes of the pulleys 13 and 14 are parallel to one another.

A traveler 15 is vertically reciprocable on the post 8. The traveler is illustrated somewhat in detail in Figure 3 and as there illustrated includes a casting having a vertically formed recess 16 therein, which recess in turn is provided with lateral pockets 1'? for receiving rollers 18 suitably mounted on spindles 19 and serving as antifriction rollers between the traveler 15 and the post 8. There are illustrated two of these rollers on each side of the post 8 so as to reduce friction to a minimum as the traveler is reciprocated. The traveler is provided with a dove-tail cut out portion 20. Above the dove-tail cut-out is a notch 21 wherein a cam lock 22 is operable.

A cover plate 23 is applied over the face of the traveler 15 illustrated in Figure 3 so as to cooperate with the traveler to form a guide for the post 8. Figure 1 illustrates the appearance of the traveler after the cover plate 23 has been applied in position.

The inner post or upright 9 is provided with a similar traveler 24 constructed substantially like traveler 15 and provided also with a dove-tail cut-out 25. The traveler 24 is provided with a handle 26 whereby the user of the device may grasp the handle and reciprocate the traveler in a manner to be hereinafter described.

The construction of the posts or uprights 8 and 9 is the same. Consequently the description of one will suflice for both. Each of the uprights 8 and 9 is illustrated as comprising a hollow post or upright. Near the upper end of the post 8 a slot 27 is out and a pulley 28 mounted within the slot on a pivot 29. The planes of the side faces of the pulley 28 are at right angles to the planes of the side faces of the pulleys 13 and 14. Each of the posts 8 and 9 is provided with a roller 28 as described. The axes of the pulleys 28 are parallel to each other but are at right angles to the axes of the pulleys 13 and 14.

A cord or light cable 30 is threaded over the several pulleys and connected to the travelers in the following manner:

One end of the cord or cable 30 is fastened to the traveler 24 on the inner post, then led downwardly engaging underneath the pulley 13 adjacent the post, then forwardly engaging underneath the pulley 13 at the outer end of the base, thence upwardly over the pulley 28 in the upper end of the outer post 8, thence downwardly where it is fastened at 31 to the travelor 15 on the outer post, thence downwardly under the pulley 14 adjacent the post 8, thence inwardly underneath the pulley 14 adjacent the post 9, thence upwardly over the pulley 28 in the post 9, thence downwardly where it is connected to the inner traveler 24.

The manner of connecting the travelers by the cord or cable 30 just described results in simultaneous movement of the travelers 15 and 24 in the same direction so that when the handle 25 of the inner traveler 24 is engaged and the traveler moves upwardly the outer traveler 15 will move in the same direction, and in like manner when the inner traveler 24 is moved downwardly, the outer traveler 15 will also move downwardly.

The travelers 15 and 24 as before stated are each provided with dove-tail slots 20 and 25 respectively. These slots are for the purpose of receiving dove-tail connections on cleaning mere-- bers.

Figure 3 illustrates a brush 32 as one cleaning member while Figure 4 illustrates a skeleton frame member 33 for supporting a cloth 34 or channels as a cleaning member.

The brush 32 is provided with a dove-tail projection or tongue 35 for entering the slot 20 of the outer traveler 15 or the slot 25 of the inner traveler 24. In like manner the skeleton 33 is provided with a dove-tail member 36 which may be interchangeably received in the slots in the outer and inner travelers 15 and 24 respectively.

Figure 8 illustrates in section the engagement of the cam lock 22 with the dove-tail projection of a cleansing member. Figure 3 illustrates this lock 22 in engagement with a groove 37 formed in a dove-tail connection of the brush and in Figure 4 as engaging a groove 38 in the dove-tail connection 36 of the skeleton 33.

The squeegee might be provided with a dovetail connection for application to either of the travelers if so desired.

It is desirable to move the cleaning device of the present invention along the window sill and to facilitate such movement there are provided a pair of parallelrollers 39' near the inner end of the base 3 and as illustrated is adjacent the inner post or upright 9. There is a roller on each side of the longitudinal axis of the base. Figure 9 illustrates such roller which is carried on pins 40 engaging apertures in angle plates 4 which are suitably secured to the base 3. 1

The base 3 of the apparatus when in use is preferably retained in substantially horizontal position to make the cleaning operation easier. Near the forward end or outer end of the base 3 and below the underside'thereof is a frame member 42 carrying at each end thereof rollers 43, the axes of which are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base 3. The frame 42 is supported in a yielding manner in the base 3 by means of pins 44 extending through apertures 45 in the base with the lower ends of the pins threaded into the frame 42 and there locked by a lock nut 46. The upper ends of the pins are provided with nuts 47. Springs 48 are applied about the pins 44 between the underside of the base 3 and the frame 42 on each of the pins 44. An equalizer bar 49 has its ends apertured to receive the pins 44 and the upper ends of the springs 43. The bar 49 engages the un derside or" the base 3 and cooperates with the pins, springs and frame member 42 to provide a yieldable roller support for the outer end of the base. Springs 50 are interposed between the upper surface of the base 3 and the nuts 47.

The roller construction just described is a floating one yieldable vertically as well as forwards and back to a limited extent. The ledge 2 of the window generally is inclined downwardly from the sill 1. Consequently when'the apparatus of the present invention is applied in cleaning position the rollers 43 will be tilted slightly with respect to the base 3 because of side surface of the pane.

the slope of the ledge. This is clearly illustrated in Figure 1.

The posts 8 and 9 are spaced a sufficient distance so that the apparatus may be readily installed for use and also so that the cleansing element such as the brush 32 may have room to operate.

The cloth 34 illustrated in Figure 4 may be bent about the member 51 of the skeleton frame 33 and held against the window pane by'proper positioning of the base 3 with respect to the pane, that is, moving the base outwardly a sufficient distance in the event the cloth is on the inner traveler 24 or moving it inwardly a sufiicient distance in the event the cloth is on the traveler 15 of the outer post 8.

The operation of the apparatus of the present invention is as follows:

Referring to Figure 1 it will be observed that the apparatus has been put in place on the window sill 1 with the front rollers bearing on the ledge 2 and the rear rollers 39 engaging the top surface of the sill 1. The lower sash A has been lowered so that it rests against the upturned flanges or ribs 5 and 6 of the base 3. A brush 32 has been applied to the traveler 15 on the outer post 8, first having been duly dampened with the cleaning solution such as water, acid or the like, the window lowered to the position shown in Figure l, whereupon the operator with one hand grasps the handle 4 of the base 3 to hold the base against movement or move it along the sill as he wishes, and with the other hand grasps the handle 26 of the inner traveler 24 and reciprocates the same. Reoiprocation of the inner traveler 2 1 is transmitted to the cord or cable 30 to the outer traveler 15 for reciprocating the travelers simultaneously and in the same direction. The operator moves the handle 26 up and of the device along the window sill until the whole outside of th pane has been cleaned with the brush 32. Thereupon the sash is raised, the brush 32 removed from the traveler l5 and a cloth 34 of chamois or fabric is inserted by means of the skeleton 33 in thetraveler l5 and the operation repeated until the window is polished. When the outer surface of the pane B has been cleaned in the manner described, the operation may be repeated for cleaning the in- It will be observed that the'apparatus of the present invention is adaptable for cleaning both sides of the window pane. Adjustment of the parts may be such that both sides may be cleaned simultaneously, that is, both the inside and the outside surfaces of the pane, or these may be cleaned alternately as desired.

The gist of the invention resides in the provision. of the base having the uprights or posts thereon spaced inwardly and outwardly of the window to be cleaned with travelers movable on the posts and connected for reciprocable movement on the posts, and also provided with meansv for carrying cleaning elements such as brushes, cloths, Chamois, Squeegees and the like.

The skeleton bracket 33 and the cloth 34 could be applied to the outer traveler 15 for cleaning that portion of the outer surface of the pane C between the lower surface of the stile of the upper sash B and the upper stile of the lower sash A which necessarily are out of register because of the fact that the window is resting on the base of the cleaning apparatus.

The apparatus of the present invention is useful in cleaning windows with vertical as well as horizontal strokes or a combination of both and lends itself very readily to quick, efiicient and satisfactory cleaning of windows.

The invention has been described herein more or less precisely as to details, yet it is not to be understood that the invention is to be limited thereby as changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion of parts and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as claimed.

The invention is claimed as follows:

i. In a window washing device of the type wherein a traveler is given vertical movement for washing purposes and which traveler removably supports a cleansing member such as a brush or sponge and including means for reciprocating the traveler, of rollers carried by said traveler for preventing binding of the traveler in use, said traveler, being provided with a dove-tail recess, a cleansing member provided with a dove-tail tongue to interfit said recess, said tongue having a notch therein, and a gravity cam on said traveler engageable with the notch in said tongue when said cleansing member is applied to said traveler, said cam preventing accidental displacement of the cleansing member.

2. In a window washing device of the type wherein a traveler member is given vertical movement for washing purposes and which traveler member removably supports a cleansing member such as a brush or sponge and including means for reciprocating the traveler, of a cleansing member, rollers carried by said traveler member for preventing binding of the traveler member in use, said traveler member and cleansing member being provided with interfitting dovetail tongue and recess engagement, and a gravity cam carried by one of said members and engageable with the tongue when the cleansing member is applied to the traveler member for FRANK J. SMITH. 

